New York Rep. Michael Grimm to Resign After Guilty Plea

WASHINGTON — Embattled New York Rep. Michael Grimm will resign his seat in Congress following his guilty plea for felony tax evasion, a House leadership aide confirmed to NBC News on Monday.

Last week, the Staten Island Republican pleaded guilty to a single count of felony tax evasion after he allegedly failed to accurately report payroll and earnings of a restaurant he owned before being elected to Congress.

In a statement late Monday night, Grimm said, "The events which led to this day did not break my spirit, nor the will of the voters. However, I do not believe that I can continue to be 100 percent effective in the next Congress."

Grimm was comfortably re-elected to his third term in Congress in November despite the pending charges. But he vowed during an October debate: "Certainly, if I was not able to serve, then of course I would step aside and there would be a special election."

Grimm also grabbed headlines last January when he was caught on camera following the State of the Union threatening to throw a reporter off a balcony and break him "like a boy" after being asked about campaign-finance misconduct allegations. Grimm said his resignation will be effective Jan. 5.